Reversing-gear for washing-machines



I R. F. SETTLAGE. REVERSING GEAR FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, I919.

wanted July 27, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ZFwZa/1Fiii e R. F. SETTLAGE. v REVERSING- GEAR FOR WASHING MACHINES- APPLICATION FILED AUG.2 9,'l9I9.

- I 2 $HEETSSHEET 2- 2 l RUDOLPH F. SETTLAGE, or's'r; LOUIS, MISSOURI.

REVEIRSING-GEAR FOR WASHING- MACI-IINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pate t d J l 2 7 1920 Application fi1ed August 29, 1919. Serial at. 320,563.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH F. SnrTLAon,

a citizen of the United States, residing at' St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Reversing- Gears for ashing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in reversing gearing, and

particularly .to that type wherein the rotary motion of a continuously operating member such as a driving shaft is transmitted to a driven member and causes the latter to be rotated a certain number of revolutions in one direction and then reversely rotated for a corresponding number of revolutions, such action being entirely automatic and effected through certain instrumentalities that are dependent for operation upon the continuous rotary motion of the driving shaft.

The principal objects of my invention are, to provide a reverse gearing of the character outlined that possesses the desirable features of simplicity, durability, efficiency, and compactness of structure; further, to

provide a construction which is positive in action and practically noiseless while in op-.

eration; and further, to provide simple manually controlled means for shifting a portion of the reverse gearing into neutral or inoperative position, thereby breaking the connection between the driving shaft and the driven shaft.

The type of mechanism herein illustrated and described is particularly designed for use upon washing machines utilizing a rotary clothes containing drum or cylinder, although it will be readily understood that practically the same form of mechanism can be advantageously used wherever it is de sired to effect a rotation of a shaft fora number of revolutions in one direction and then for a corresponding number of revolutions in the other direction. 7

- Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, andillustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which F igure l is an elevational view of a washing machine equipped with a reversing gear of my improved construtcion.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1.v Big. 3 1s a detail section taken approximately on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4c is a detail section illustrating a ratchet wheel centering device madeuse of in my improved gearing.

Fig. is a section taken approximately on the l1I16 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is zi -section taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring by numerals to the accompanymg drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates the tub portion ofv a washing machine, the same being supported on a suitable framework, and mounted for rotary movement within said tub is the usual clothes con taining drum or cylinder (not shown), and which latter, it will be understood, rotates first in one direction and then in the other. One end of this drum is provided with a socket plate or bracket 11 that is recessed to receive the angular head 12 of a stub shaft 13 the latter being mounted for rotary movement in a bearing 14 that is formed on the central portion of a plate 15. This plate .ispositioned immediately over an opening 16 that is formed in one of the side walls of the tub 10 and said plate being secured to saidwall in anysuitable. manner. Secured to this plate and projecting outwardly therefrom is a substantially cylindrical housing 17 to theouter portion of which is removably secured a cover plate 18, and formed on said housing 17 and cover plate at diametrically disposed points are bearings 19 for a shaft 20. This shaft is positively driven in any suitable manner, preferably from an electric motor (not shown) that is located on a suitable support on the lower portion of the frame for the tub.

Loosely mounted on the driving shaft 20 within the housing 17 are oppositely arranged beveled pinions 21 which are constantly in mesh with the teeth of a beveled gear wheel 22, the latter being fixed on the stub shaft 13.

A sleeve 23 is splined upon the driving shaft between the pinions 21 so that it will rotate with and slide lengthwise upon said shaft and the ends of this sleeve are provided with lugs or teeth 24 that are adapted to engage with correspondinglugs or teeth 25 that project fromthefaces of the pinions 21. V

Formed in the periphery of sleeve 23 and at a central point thereupon is an annular groove 26, in which is positioned thearms of a yoke 27 and'which latter is provided at one end with a stud 28. Formed integral with and projecting outwardly from the axis of this'stud is a short pin 29 that is positioned in a short transversely disposed groove 30, the latter being formed in the inner face of the central portion of cover plate 18.

Formed in stud 28 to one side of pin 29 is a longitudinally disposed bore or recess 31 and positioned therein is a spring-pressed ball 32. Formed in the inner face of the cover plate 18 and at a point directly oppocumferencothan'the larger circumference or site the center of groove is a recess 33 which serves as a seat for the ball 32 when "the stud 28 and parts carried thereby are shifted to a neutral position.

Loosely mounted upon stud 28 and positioned immediately adjacent to the cover plate 18 is a disk 34 and formed on the inner face thereof adjacent to its periphery isa V series of ratchet teeth 35 that are adapted to periphery 38, said-smaller portion of the pe- -ripheryboing designated by the numeral 39.

I Fulcrumed on pins or studs which are seated in the cover plate 18 are short levers 41, the freeends of which are rounded as designated by 42, and said rounded ends being adapted to engage the peripheral portions 33 and 39 of the cam. Pivotally connectedto the opposite ends of these levers are the outer ends of a pair of toggle links 43, the inner ends of the latter being pivotally connected to a rod 44 which extends through the edge of cover plate 18, and its outer end being provided with a handle'45.

The levers 41 and toggle links 43 are constructed so that when the handle and rod 44 are pulled outward as illustrated by solid portion 33. Consequently as the cam rotates betweenthe rounded. ends 42 of the levers, said disk, ratchet wheel 34, and parts carried :thereby, will be alternately shifted in opposite directions as the shoulders between the I peripheral surfaces 38 and 39 ride onto and off the ends of the levers 41 and during this shifting movement of the cam, it will be guided by the engagement of pin 29 in g'roove30y r In order to hold the ratchet wheel 34 so that its teeth are retained inproper position relative to the single tooth 36 on the sleeve 2-3, a spring 46,'preferably a short section of resilient wire, has one end seated'in the lower end of yoke 27 and the free end of said spring bearson the face ofthe ratchet wheel between the teeth thereof, thus yieldingly retaining the ratchet wheel in proper position, particularly while'the parts of the reversing gear are shifted into neutral position. V I

v The operation of my'improved reversing gear is as follows:

' Assuming that the driving shaft 20 is' in operation and it is desired to set the reverse mechanism so that the clothes containing drum or cylinder will rotate first in one direction andthen'in the other, the handle 45 is pulled outward to the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 6, thereby moving the rounded ends 42 of the levers 41 toward each other and into engagement with the peripheral portions of the cam 37 As one of the levers bears on the peripheral portion 39 having the smaller cir cumference and the other lever bears on the peripheral portion 38 having the larger circumference, said cam and parts carried thereby will be shifted'so that pin 29 oocupies one end of. groove 30 and when so positioned the teeth24 on one end. of the sleeve 23 will occupy a position in the path of travel of the teeth 25 on. one of the pinions 21,-thereby forming a driving engage ment between this particular pinion and said sleeve. w v V The rotary motion of shaft 20 is now transmitted through the sleeve 23 to the pinion with which said sleeve is in engagement and from said pinion to beveled gear wheel 22 that is carried by stub shaft 13, and the latter being connected to the drum or cylinder of'the washing machine will impart rotary'motion to the latter.

,As sleeve 23 rotates with the driving shaft 20 the tooth 36 on said sleeve will, during each revolution, engage one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 34 thereby intermittently rotating the latter and when said ratchet area has been rotated approximately one half a complete revolution, the cam and said ratchet wheel and parts carried thereby will be bodily 'shifted the length. of the groove 30 and which shifting action is brought about by the engagement of the peripheral edges 38 and 39 of the cam with the ends of levers 41, it being understood that as the cam is rotated the positions of the peripheral portions having the different diawheel-22, stub shaft 13 andparts carried thereby will be reversely rotated with respect to the direction in which they were previously rotated and this reverse rotary motion will be continued until the ratchet wheel 34 and parts associated therewith have been intermittently rotated approximately one-half a revolution, which action, it will be understood, is brought about by the engagement of'the tooth 36 with the teeth of said ratchet wheel, as hereinbefore described.

In the event that it is desired to temporarily render the reversing gear inoperative, certain of the parts thereof are shifted into a neutral position by forcing the handle- 45 and rod 44 inwardly to the positions illustrated by dotted lines in'Figs; 6, and which movement swings the levers d1 upon their fulcru'ms'and moves the rounded ends 42 of said levers away from each other so that their engaging faces are spaced apart a 'distance slightly greater than the diameterof the peripheral portion 38 of the cam.

When so positioned, the cam and parts associated therewith including the sleeve 23, will take an intermediate positionbetween j the pinions 21 with the pin 29 at a central point in groove 30'and with the teeth on the ends of the sleeve 23 out of engagement withv the teeth 25 on both beveled pinions 21. The cam and. associated parts are yieldingly maintained'in this neutral or inoperative position by the. engagement of. springpressed ball 32 in recess 33. v

The reversing gear of my improved construction is entirely automatic in operation positive in effecting a periodic reversal of the rotary motion transmitted to a driven member, can be easily [and cheaply manufactured, and possesses superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability and general efliciency. 7

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved reversing gear may be madeand substituted for those herein shown and described,-without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a reversing gear, a driving shaft, a pair of pinions loosely mounted thereupon, a gear'wheel meshing with said pinions,a shaft upon which said gear wheel is carried, amember mounted to slide lengthwise upon and rotate with the driving shaft between the pinions thereon, the ends of which member are adapted to engage said pinions soas to drive the same, a cam, means associated.

therewith for effecting a movement of the cam in a direction substantially parallel with the driving shaft, and driving connections between said cam and the member that is mounted on the driving shaft between the pimons.

2. Ina driving gear, a driving 'shaft,-a' pair of pinions loosely mounted thereon, a gear wheel having engagement with said pinions, a shaft carrying said gear wheel, a

sleeve arranged to slide lengthwise upon and rotate with the driving shaft and positioned between the pinions thereon, the'ends of said sleeve being adapted to engage the pinions to drive the same, a ratchetwheel connected to said sleeve, means on said sleeve for intermittently rotating said ratchet wheel, a cam associated with said ratchet wheel, means cooperating with said cam for bodily shifting the same and associated parts, and means for guiding themovement of said cam in a direction substantially parallel with the driving shaft.

. 8. Inga driving gear, a driving shaft, a

pair of ,pinions loosely mountedthereon', a

gear wheel having engagement with said pinions, a shaft carrying said gearwheel, a sleeve arranged to slide lengthwise upon and rotate with the driving shaft and positioned between the pinions thereon, the ends of said sleeve being adapted to engage the pinions to drive the same, a ratchet wheel connected to said sleeve, means on said sleevefor intermittently rotating said ratchet wheel, a cam associated with said ratchet wheel, means cooperating with said cam for bodily shifting the same and associated parts, means for guiding the movement of said cam in a direction substantially parallel with the driving shaft, and means for shifting the cam and associated parts into a neutral position.

4. In a driving gear,,a,driving shaft, a

between the pinions thereon, the ends of said sleeve being adapted to engage the pinions to drive the same, a ratchet wheel connectedto said sleeve, means on said sleeve for intermittently rotating said ratchet wheel, a cam associated with-said ratchet wheel, means cooperating with said cam for bodily shifting the same and associated parts, means for guiding the movement of saiclcam'in a direction substantially parallel with the driving shaft, means for-shifting the cam and associated parts into a neutral position, and means for holding said cam and associated partsin neutral position.

5. In a reversing gear, a driving shaft, a pair of pinions loosely mounted thereon, a gear wheel having driving connectionsrwith said pinions, a shaft on which said gear wheel is carried, a clutch member carried by the driving shaft and adapted toengage the pinions thereon, a ratchet wheel associated and movable with said clutch member, and means on said clutch member for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said ratchet wheel. 7 i

6. In a reversing gear, a driving shaft,

a pair of pinions loosely mounted thereon,

a gear wheel having driving connections with said pinions, a-shaft on which said gear wheel is carried, a clutch member carried by the driving shaft and adapted to engage the pinionsthereon, a ratchet wheelsaid pinions, a shaft on which said gear wheel is carried, a clutch member carried by the'driving shaft and adapted to engage the pinions thereon, a ratchet wheel associated and movable with said clutch member, means on said clutch member for mparting intermittent rotary movement to said ratchet wheel, a cam carried by said ratchet wheel,

means with which said cam is adapted to engage for shifting the clutch member lengthwise upon the driving shaft, and means for shifting said cam, ratchet wheel and clutch member into a neutral position between the pinions. r

8. In a reversing gear, a drivin shaft, a pair of pinions loosely mounted gear wheel shaving driving connections with said pinions, a shaft on which said gear thereon, a

member: lengthwise upon the driving shaft,

means for shifting said cam, ratchet wheel and clutch memberinto a neutral position between the pinions, and means for holding.

said cam and associated parts in neutral position. v f

9; In a reversing gear, adriving shaft,

pinions loosely mounted thereon, afgear 7 wheel having drivingconnections withsaid pinions, a shaft upon which said gear wheel is carried, a clutch member arranged to rotate with and 'slide' lengthwise upon" the driving shaft between the pinions, ayoke carried by said clutch member, a ratchet wheel loosely mounted on said yoke, means for intermittently driving said ratchet-wheel from the clutch member,v a cam associated with said ratchet wheel, means with which the cam is adapted toengage to shift the ratchet wheel, yoke and clutch member bodily in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the driving shaft, and means for positioning said cam engaging means so as to cause the cam andassociated parts to assume a neutral position :with respect to the pair ofpinions. 7

10. In a reversing gear, a driving shaft, pinions loosely mounted thereon, a gear wheel having driving connections with said pinion, a'shaft upon which said gear wheel is carried, a clutch 'member arranged to rotate with and slide lengthwise upon the driving shaft between the pinions, a yoke carried by said clutch member, a ratchet wheel looselyv mounted on said yoke, means for intermittently driving said ratchet wheel fromthe clutch member, a cam associated with said ratchet wheel, means with which the cam is. adapted to engage to shift the ratchet wheel, yokeand clutch member bodily in a directionsubstantially parallel with the axis of the driving shaft, means for In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature this 27th day of August, 1919.

RUDOLPH F, SETTLAGE. 

